Allan Saint-Maximin gave an early lead to Newcastle before substitute Edinson Cavani equalized for Manchester United in the 71st minute.
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Manchester United came from behind to rescue a point against Newcastle United in the Premier League fixture at St. James’ Park on Monday. Allan Saint-Maximin gave an early lead to Newcastle before Edinson Cavani equalized off the bench. Both sides had opportunities to win the game but in the end settled for a draw. Newcastle were clearly the better side on the night and Manchester United would consider themselves lucky to escape with a draw. Meanwhile it was United’s first dropped points under head coach Ralf Rangnick.
Heart on his sleeve.
❤️ @ECavaniOfficial #MUFC | #NEWMUN pic.twitter.com/5PxafprIPc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 27, 2021
The home side started the game brightly and took the lead inside the opening seven minutes. Raphael Varane who was making his first start since October got dispossessed in the middle of the park, the ball was laid to Saint-Maximin on the left. The Frenchman found himself running at the Manchester United defence, cutting inside Maguire, and slotting the ball past David de Gea into the far corner of the net.
The hosts were full of energy and Manchester United was finding it too hot to handle. Joelinton’s shot from outside the box had De Gea scrambling. The visitors had the bulk of the ball possession but it was Newcastle who looked threatening to score. Jonjo Shelvey tested De Gea with a powerful long range attempt before Willson had the ball inside the net but the linesman raised his flag for offside. The closest Manchester United came in the first half was through Mason Greenwood from Bruno Fernandes’ clever free-kick.
After the break, Rangnick brought in Jadon Sancho and Cavani in place of Greenwood and Fred to freshen things up front. However, it was the hosts who came close to doubling the lead. Emil Krafth’s low cross from the right found Saint-Maximin in front of goal, but the 24-year-old was denied by De Gea.
At the other end, Marcus Rashford tested Martin Dubravka from long range. Joelinton led a breakaway move before setting the ball for Ryan Fraser on the right side of the penalty area. But the Scottish midfielder’s effort was saved by De Gea at the near post.
De Gea was having a busy night and he was keeping the Red Devils in the game with some brilliant saves. Saint-Maximin’s effort was parried away by De Gea. Newcastle were made to pay for their missed chances as Cavani equalized in the 71st minute.
Diogo Dalot’s cross from the right found Cavani inside the box. Although the Uruguayan’s first attempt was blocked by the Newcastle defence, he slotted home from the rebound. A promising night for the home side got trickier as Saint-Maximin went off injured, joining Wilson on the sidelines. But Newcastle continued to play positively and came ever so close to scoring the winner in the 88th minute. Jacob Murphy’s curler from the left hit the post before Almiron forced a stunning save from De Gea.
The result was not enough to move Manchester United up the table and they remained in the seventh spot with 28 points from 17 games. While Newcastle remain one off the bottom in 19th with 11 points from 19 games.
Eddie Howe said after the match: “We’re disappointed, we felt we deserved to win. I don’t think we deserved to concede. How De Gea saved that shot from Almiron, I don’t know. But hopefully we’ve seen the beginning of a new team. But for a bit more luck, we could have won the game.”
